Chapter 6: Harsh Lessons Learned
Izuku feels like he is floating above dark clouds. It is not entirely unpleasant, but it is not exactly comfortable either. The sensations he is feeling right now are akin to being underwater without having to swim, but only floating weightlessly instead. It's like he's suspended in a dreamlike state, drifting along with the calmness and tranquility of it all.
He feels like he's in some sort of limbo right now. He doesn't know what happened. He just remembers that he was fighting against the magmatic villain, unleashing One For All upon him, and then he got knocked out. And now, here he is.
Opening his eyes in an almost painfully slow manner, he blinks several times to clear his vision. Once his sight returns, he realizes that he's currently in a black void of some sort. Several small-to-medium thick, dark gray 'clouds' float around him in a chaotic pattern, as if they're alive. Though there's no light source, the cloudy space is illuminated by a strange green glow. It is so quiet that he can hear his own breathing. And the air is thick, like wading through water, making him feel both heavy and weightless at the same time.
It is an unsettling place, and he has no idea where he is.
Looking up, he notices that he's able to see the black sky. At least, that is what he wishes it was. Instead, what he sees is just a void of emptiness. There are no stars in the sky. No clouds. No sun or moon. Nothing. Just a huge black abyss.
"Where am I…?" He asks no one in particular as he looks around his surroundings, "And how did I end up here…?"
As far as his green eyes can see, there's nothing but an endless abyss of dark clouds. No light, no stars, no anything. It is just pure emptiness. A cold, lonely abyss.
This is a strange place.
"Am I… dreaming…?" He asks himself in confusion as he looks around, "No, I don't think this is a dream. This feels so… so real. But at the same time, it… doesn't."
After several moments of looking around, he stops when he realizes that it is a futile attempt to figure out what's happening right now. Heck, he doesn't even know if he is conscious or unconscious right now. He might be in a coma, for all he knows. He has no idea.
Blinking several times, Izuku looks down at himself to check for any worrisome injuries or other abnormalities present on his body. And, of course, there's one—whether it is worrisome or not, however, is yet to be realized.
His entire body is being encased in some kind of green, translucent energy. The strange aura is pulsing lightly with energy. It is flowing throughout his body like waves upon the shore, and it feels warm and comfortable, but at the same time cold and eerie. He doesn't know what this green energy is, but it doesn't feel harmful to him. In fact, it feels strangely familiar to him somehow.
He brings his hands to his face, gently curling and uncurling them in front of his face. His right arm is fine. There is no sign of injury, pain, or blood. In fact, it looks completely normal, just like his other arm. And looking at the rest of his body, there are no other signs of injuries or damage to him. The only thing he finds odd is the green energy that's covering his entire form.
"This is really weird…" He muses as he looks down at his body, "What is this?"
And when his gaze moves downward, he also notices that he is standing on a watery surface. It is dark and murky, yet somewhat reflective at the same time. However, he can't see his reflection at all, no matter how hard he tries. Small ripples occasionally appear on its surface, but that's about it. And that just makes this place even more unsettling.
Other than that, he also takes note of his current attire, which does not belong to him. He is wearing a forest green haori over a vibrant green nagagi top, along with a turquoise green hakama on the bottom. A light brown obi is tied around his waist. And his feet are bare. This is certainly not the clothing that he wore before. And he can't help but wonder how and why he is wearing this outfit right now.
"Well, at least it is a nice and comfortable outfit." He comments in a pleasant tone as he examines his current attire with a small smile, "Plus, it is traditional Japanese clothing, which is quite lovely."
And when he is done looking at himself, he looks back up at the sky again, hoping to see something else. Sadly, even when he squints his eyes to the point of strain, nothing changes. He just sees a big, dark abyss. It is completely void of anything. Aside from these 'clouds' that hang relatively low above his head, no other objects or scenery exist around him. It is just an empty, vast expanse of darkness.
This is getting really unsettling.
"Seriously. What in God's name is this place…?" He murmurs with uncertainty as he looks around.
But before he can contemplate any further on what's happening, a bright green light slowly appears from behind him, causing him to turn around in surprise. He needs to squint his eyes for a bit to not get blinded by the light before he can finally look at it.
It is a burning green fireball that emerges from the depths of the dark abyss, floating several inches above the surface of the murky water. It flickers and pulses with energy, giving off an ethereal glow. And as he stares at the mysterious light, he can't help but feel like it is trying to communicate with him in some way.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh…" He breathes out in fascination as he examines the strange orb, "What is this?"
The green flame continues to float in front of him, almost as if it is trying to show him something. Small trails of smoke emanate from its body as it gently moves towards him. Its light is warm and inviting. The way it moves and the energy it emits are calm and peaceful. Despite being a flaming orb, it feels more like a gentle breeze than anything else.
He takes a few steps closer to the burning sphere, feeling its warmth envelope him. It's not a heat that he's familiar with, but it's definitely a pleasant one. It feels like the warmth of the sun's rays on a summer day. He doesn't know why he feels this way, but he doesn't mind it. It actually feels quite soothing to him, as if he's being embraced by a loving embrace.
The distance between him and the burning sphere is shortened by seconds, but he feels like he has walked for miles. But it doesn't matter, as he feels oddly compelled to be near this green flame. Like a moth to the flame, he is drawn to its warmth. And not soon after, he finds himself standing directly in front of the burning sphere, staring at it with a mesmerized gaze.
He tilts his head from left to right as his emerald eyes roam all over the green fireball. It is like he's hypnotized by its beauty. The way it flickers and dances is simply fascinating. And standing this close to it, he can hear that, instead of the typical crackling noise of burning fire, it is a melodious tune. Like the sound of wind chimes. Or perhaps a lullaby.
It is a very beautiful melody. As strange as it may sound, it is a soothing, relaxing tune. It is reminiscent of a river meandering through a valley or a breeze gently blowing through the trees. It is a melody that calms his heart and soothes his soul.
And not only that, it also seems to be talking to him in some way. It's not like words or anything. It's more like an emotion. It's like a feeling that's being transmitted directly into his mind, though he's not exactly sure what kind of feeling it is. All he knows is that it's coming from the green fireball.
This is all so confusing to him. But at the same time, it doesn't bother him that much.
With pursed lips, he slowly and cautiously brings his hand towards the burning sphere, almost as if he's reaching out to touch it. He is not sure if he should be touching the green flaming sphere, but the burning sphere gives off a comforting warmth that makes him want to touch it. So with his curiosity taking the better of him, he gently places his fingertips onto the ball.
And that is when it all changes.
Suddenly, a burst of blinding green light shoots out of the burning sphere. It's like a flashbang grenade exploding in his face. It's so bright and powerful that it leaves him reeling from the impact. He staggers back and covers his eyes with his arms to shield himself from the intense light, but it's too late. It's like staring directly into the sun, but ten times brighter.
It doesn't take long before he's forced to shut his eyes completely, feeling the powerful light burning his retinas. He lets out a pained grunt as he stumbles back from the light's intensity. Even with his eyes closed, the light is still too bright for him to handle. He doesn't know how long he needs to keep his eyes shut, but he can feel the burning pain in his head growing with each passing second.
The light soon envelopes the entire black void, causing everything around him to become a bright, blinding green. The intensity of the light is so strong that it is almost unbearable. He can feel the burning sensation spreading throughout his body. His skin is tingling, and his ears are ringing. It is so bright and intense that he can't even open his eyes. All he can do is keep his eyes shut tight and endure it.
"Wh-What is this…!?" He groans out in pain.
The brilliance of the light continues to burn in his mind, blinding him. He can feel it searing into his eyelids, sending a wave of agony across his body. He grits his teeth and clenches his fists as he tries to withstand the pain. But it's no use. No matter what he does, he can't keep his eyes closed forever. And the pain just keeps growing. It's like a fire burning in his brain, consuming him whole.
And when he is about to cry out in pain, the fireball explodes in a brilliant flash, engulfing him in its light as well as the entire space.
Then, everything turns white.
Izuku lets out a pained groan as he slowly opens his eyes. His head feels like it is being jackhammered repeatedly, and his vision is blurry. He blinks several times to clear his vision, and when his eyes finally adjust to his surroundings, he realizes that he is in an unfamiliar room. The ceiling is nothing more than a dull gray color, and it is lit up by a couple of fluorescent lights. He's currently lying on a bed, and there's a small table next to him with a pitcher of water and a glass cup on it. The entire room seems to be very plain and simple, with no decorations or any other furniture besides the bed and the table. Well, at least, with his limited range of view, that is how he sees it. And the smell is… Well, how can he describe it? It has a sterile smell, like the smell of a hospital.
"W-Wait…" He blinks in realization as he looks around the room, "Am I…?"
With a groggy grunt, he sits up in bed and looks around the room. The first thing he notices is that he is in a hospital room. There is no mistaking that. He's laying on a bed, and there is a bunch of medical equipment surrounding him. He's also wearing a hospital gown.
He's definitely in a hospital.
"O-Ohhh…" He weakly breathes out in surprise as he looks around the room, "I'm… in a hospital…?"
Blinking away whatever grogginess he has, he lets out a small sigh and rubs the side of his head as he tries to recall what happened before he ended up in here. However, the memories seem to be fuzzy. While some fragments are coming back to him, most of them are still missing. All he can remember is that he was fighting that magma villain. He was using One For All and then…
Then what?
He's drawing a complete blank.
"Ugh, I don't remember what happened after that…"He mentally groans as he shakes his head, "Did he manage to knock me out? Or did I win the fight and end up here? Possibly."
Smacking his dry lips, he looks down at his right arm. While it is mostly fine, there are some faint scar marks that are barely visible to his naked eyes. They are mostly concentrated around his forearm and wrist area, as well as some on his knuckles. And there are also some blackish marks on his palm and the back of his hand. They look like burns, but they're not serious. They'll probably heal up soon.
"Ohhhhhhh…" He drawls out in confusion as he examines his arm, "So I did get burned by that guy's Quirk."
But he knows this isn't the reason for his hospitalization. No, he's certain he's in this hospital because of the severe injuries sustained during the fight. The faint scars and burns on his arm suggest the extent of his injuries. While the villain might have played a part in his current predicament, he believes his admission is more likely due to his lack of control over One For All, which resulted in self-inflicted harm.
However, for some reason, the pain seems to be… dull.
It's like a light ache instead of the intense agony that he should be feeling right now. Which is quite strange. From what he experienced the first time using One For All, the pain of its pressure was very excruciating and intense. It felt like his muscles were being stretched beyond their limits. And the sensation of being squeezed so hard that it made him feel like his bones were about to break was very uncomfortable. And yet, the pain in his arm feels almost nonexistent, which is certainly baffling to him.
How in the world did he manage to get his arm better without receiving any treatment?
Did someone use their healing Quirk on him? Possibly. Actually, wait. That is most likely the answer. Like, in today's age of wonder, when almost everything is possible, a healing Quirk is definitely plausible for someone to possess. And someone who works at this hospital might have used their Quirk on him. So that would explain why he doesn't feel that much pain in his arm. But then again, why would someone waste their energy healing his arm? Surely, there are many more important matters that need their attention rather than healing him. It feels rather unfair to ask them to expend their Quirk's energy for his sake alone.
Well, whatever. The reasons don't really matter right now. He just hopes that whoever used their Quirk on him gets a nice reward for their efforts. And, when he gets the chance, he will thank them properly for helping him.
Aside from that, he takes another look around the room. The hospital room he is in is like any other hospital room, with no special features or anything. The walls are a pale beige color, and the floor is made up of polished linoleum. There's a window on one side of the room, and it looks like it's already nighttime, as proven by the pitch-black sky outside. A couple of chairs are placed against the wall. There's also a TV screen mounted on the wall across from the bed, with a remote control sitting on the small table. And there's also a clock hanging next to the TV screen.
"E-Eighteen past one?" He stammers out as he squints his eyes at the clock, "It's already that late?"
Damn. He must've slept for a long time if it's already late. It is past midnight already.
"Oh, no… What will Mom think?" He mutters to himself as he rubs his eyes tiredly, "N-No doubt they have told her about this. And when I return home, I'm going to get an earful from her."
He lets out a tired sigh as he slumps on the bed, rubbing his aching forehead. He already imagined her coming here yesterday evening when someone called her and told her that he was being hospitalized here, and she probably spent all day here worrying about him. And when he finally comes back home, he will get stern talking from her.
"Great. This is just what I need." He grumbles as he runs a hand through his green locks.
Just then, the door swings open, and in comes his second mentor, a cane in his right hand and a steaming taiyaki in his left. He appears to be in remarkably good health, despite the recent events. After taking seven steps into the room, he looks over and sees that the greenette is awake.
"Ah. Coming home from Sleep Town, eh, brat?" Gran Torino greets him with a small grumble as he walks towards him, "Good. Thought you wouldn't wake up for a few hours. I was starting to get bored waiting for you."
Izuku blinks in surprise, "Gran Torino?"
"Aye." He nods as he approaches him and stands beside his bed, "So, how are you feeling, kid?"
The boy thinks for a moment, before replying, "Fine, I guess? My right arm's not hurting that much, though."
"Hn. Of course, it isn't. Her magic is always a miracle." He grunts as he takes a bite of his taiyaki, "It's a wonder that she still hasn't quit and retired yet."
"Sh-She? She who?" Izuku asks in confusion.
"…An old friend." He answers with a rather hesitant tone, "She's not working at this hospital, though. Her workplace is relatively far away, so you are very fortunate she was willing to come here to help you out."
"R-Really?" His eyes widen a little in surprise before he bows down in his seat, "Th-Thank you. I mean, I know I should thank her, but… W-Well, without you calling her, she wouldn't come here. So, thank you so much for bringing her here to heal me."
The elderly man only grunts in his usual manner as he walks up towards one of the chairs before plopping himself down on it. He takes another bite of his taiyaki before chewing slowly and swallowing.
"So, now that you're awake, there are some things from me that I want you to hear very carefully, kid." He says as he stares at the boy with a serious gaze.
Izuku blinks in confusion before hesitantly nodding with an uncertain frown, "Uh, o-okay?"
Gran Torino first finishes eating his taiyaki before pouring himself a glass of water from the pitcher and taking a long sip. After he finishes drinking, he places the glass on the table with a small thud. And he turns his attention to the young teen before him. His gaze is that of a stern and serious one, though not exactly entirely threatening.
"Boy. You are fucking insane." He tells him bluntly.
"Oh, boy. Here we go…" Izuku mentally groans as he prepares himself for the verbal scolding that he is about to receive.
"I told you to leave, didn't I? And what did you do? You decided to return and fight a dangerous villain." The elderly man continues to lecture him, his tone harsh and chiding, "You could have died back there, you know. You still have so, SO much to gain. Your future is still so bright. Why throw it all away for some stranger?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's because it's my duty." He answers with a serious tone; tongue is layered with thick determination.
Gran Torino groans exasperatedly with his hand on his head, "Kid, you are not-"
"I don't care if I'm not officially a hero yet, sir. As long as I have the strength, even if I don't have my mantle yet, I will still save people. That is the responsibility of anyone with the power to help others." The greenette cuts him off with an absolute tone, "I know it was not the smart move, but I know it was the right move. Leaving you alone to deal with him is just too much for me to bear. It does not matter if you could handle him; I refused to let you fight him alone. I save and help not just the innocent and the defenseless, but also my fellow heroes. If I can help them, then I will do it, no matter what."
The elderly man simply sighs as he shakes his head, "Boy, I admire your bravery. I really do. But sometimes, bravery is not enough. Sometimes, you have to be smart and logical about these things. You can't always be a reckless brat who rushes into danger without thinking about the consequences. And one of those consequences will be having two officers come to your place to question you."
On that, Izuku's expression cracks a little with his eyes widening slightly as he stares at the retired hero in bewilderment, "W-Wait, what…?"
"What? You think you will go home scot-free after this incident? Or were you expecting that no one would bat an eye upon seeing an injured boy with a fucked arm in the middle of a danger zone?" He gives him a pointed look, "Of course, everyone will want to know what happened there, stupid. In the evening, two officers arrived to question you about the incident. But you were still out cold, so they decided to question you later this morning. I don't exactly know when; just be prepared."
Izuku's chest slowly feels heavier and heavier as he thinks of the possible questions that he might be asked. He swallows a lump in his throat as he tries to think of something to say, but nothing comes to mind.
"They questioned me first, so they already have my testimony." Gran Torino continues on with a stoic tone, "I told them that it was me who knocked out that bastard, and that you were a poor fool whose arm got crushed by him."
"…You… l-lied to them?" He asks with a shocked expression.
"What? You want them to know that it was you who caused such an extreme power surge? And that it was you who actually took down the villain? What do you think they will do to you when they hear that, hm? What do you think will happen?" The retired hero presses on with a stern glare, "At best, you will be held accountable for the damages. At worst, you will be charged for unauthorized Quirk use. I know you're a minor, but being a minor is nothing when public Quirk use is concerned, especially one like yours. And I don't need to tell you that."
Izuku is rendered speechless at that, as he knows that what Gran Torino said is true. Ever since the emergence of Quirks, Japanese laws have been changed countless times over the course of decades. These changes revolved mainly around Quirks and the laws surrounding them. One such law is that those who use their Quirks in public without a hero license or any other form of legal authorization are subjected to heavy penalties.
And he can't even begin to imagine the consequences he will face if the police discover that he used his Quirk to cause such destruction. So he has to be very careful when he talks to the officers.
"I don't care if you think this is bullshit, but just keep in mind that you can't tell them what really happened." Gran Torino sternly warns him, "Tell them that it was me who unleashed that massive power surge. Tell them that I was the one who knocked the bastard out. And tell them that you were trying to help, only for your arm to get crushed. Got it?"
"…Uhm, a-are you sure they will believe it? I mean, it's… quite a big lie." The greenette questions with an unsure tone.
"Let's just hope so." He sighs before looking up at him with a serious expression, "Listen, kid. You can't tell them what really happened. Do you understand?"
Izuku looks at his mentor with a conflicted expression before nodding hesitantly, "Y-Yes, sir."
"Good." He sighs in relief before tossing him a set of fresh, new clothes and then turning around towards the door, "Alright, boy, get change, and let's get going. My old bones here are aching, and I'm starting to feel sleepy. We'll go to the receptionist's desk, sign some papers, and get you discharged from here. Then, we're going to get you home. I promised your mom that I'd make sure you got back safe and sound. After that, we will never speak of this incident again."
"O-Oh, yeah. What about my mom? D-Does she…?" He trails off as he looks at his mentor while holding the clothes.
"She came here in the evening. I introduced myself to her, not as your teacher but as a passing hero who happened to be there during the villain attack. She nearly flooded the room with tears, though." He grumbles before shaking his head, "Anyway, I told her the same thing I told you. So she also thinks it was me who did that."
"I-I see." The teen says as he swings his legs over the side of the bed.
"So, I hope you understand how much shit you're in right now." He turns around and looks at him, "I don't care if you want to be a hero or whatever. Just don't be a fucking idiot like you were yesterday."
"Y-Yes, sir." He nods meekly as he gets up from the bed before starting to take off his hospital gown and putting on his clothes.
With that said, Gran Torino turns around and starts walking towards the door. Izuku, now wearing a more casual set of clothing, quickly follows after him, though he still feels a little shaky on his feet. His right arm is still hurting a bit, but it doesn't really bother him that much.
The retired hero opens the door, and they both exit the room. They then walk through the hallway, heading towards the elevator. Their footsteps echo throughout the quiet hallway as they walk in silence. Due to it being past midnight, other than those who are on a night shift, there is barely anyone else in the hospital. So, the halls are pretty much empty.
After a few minutes, they arrive at the elevator and press the 'Down' button. The door immediately slides open, revealing a small, empty space inside. The two of them step inside, and the door closes behind them. And then they descend towards the ground floor.
As they wait for the elevator to take them down, Gran Torino turns his head towards the boy and asks him, "So, kid. Are you feeling all right? Your arm doesn't hurt, does it?"
"N-No, sir." He answers, shaking his head, "I-It's not that bad, actually."
"That's good. I'm glad to hear that." The elderly man nods his head slightly as he stares at him, "So, are you sure that you're fine?"
"W-Well, my head is kinda fuzzy and… I don't remember much other than the fight." The young teen rubs the back of his head as he tries to recall the events that transpired, "I-I mean, I remember the fight, but I don't exactly remember how it ended. I remember fighting him, and then I guess I got knocked out by him or something, and then I woke up here."
Gran Torino sighs, "Yeah, I figured you wouldn't remember much. The power of One For All you used was extremely powerful. It even surprised me. I wasn't expecting that. I was hoping that you would just knock the guy out cold, but you actually ended up destroying an entire building and a large part of the street as well."
"Wh-What? Really?" Izuku stutters out in shock, his eyes wide with surprise, "I-I didn't know that I was able to do that."
"The Quirk is much more powerful than you realized. And as a result, the risk is also high." The elderly man points out with a grave tone, "Remember, kid, you can't use One For All to its fullest extent yet. You're not ready for it. And if you keep trying to do that, you'll end up hurting yourself. Or worse."
Izuku brings his right hand to his chest and clutches his right knuckle tightly, "I… I understand."
"Good." Gran Torino nods before turning his attention to the door, "Anyway, I want you to remember this. Your dedication to helping people is admirable. But sometimes, you need to think about your own safety as well. You can't be a hero if you get killed because of your own recklessness. And you need to think twice, three times, or even a hundred times before you decide to risk your life to save someone else. You need to consider the consequences of your actions, kid. And right now, you need to start thinking about yourself."
The teen is silent for several moments, before he speaks up, "I-I know that I need to be more careful, sir. But… I can't just abandon someone who needs help."
"And that's commendable, brat, but you can't just heedlessly throw yourself into danger like that." The elderly man says sternly, "I know you want to save everyone you can, but you also have to think about yourself. What good will you do if you die trying to save someone? It's pointless to try saving someone if you just end up dying in the process. So, keep in mind that you are also important in saving others."
"I-I… I understand, sir." He replies, lowering his head slightly.
"You better." Gran Torino grumbles before looking at him with a serious gaze, "Remember this, kid. What you did yesterday was brave. And suicidal. And I admire your bravery, but I also despise your recklessness. So, stop being a reckless brat and think twice before you decide to risk your life to save someone else. You got that?"
"Y-Yes, sir." Izuku answers meekly.
The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. The two of them step out of the elevator, and they make their way towards the receptionist's desk.
"You cannot be the hero you dream to be if you're dead, brat." He grunts, "You need to learn how to balance the risks with the rewards. Remember that, boy."
"O-Okay."
The elderly man lets out a long sigh before shaking his head. He then turns his gaze towards the boy walking next to him. He sees the young teen looking down at his feet with a conflicted look on his face. His shoulders are slightly hunched, and he's walking in a slow and sluggish manner. And his expression is that of a mixture of shame and sadness.
"Listen, I'm sorry for being so harsh on you, kid, but I just want you to understand the risks of what you're doing." He apologizes with a small sigh, "I know that you want to save people and help others, but sometimes you need to put yourself before others. And all the time, you need to think and weigh out your actions before making any decisions. Don't just rush headlong into danger without thinking about the consequences of your actions. It will get you killed."
"I-I know that, sir." He replies quietly, still looking down at his feet.
They finally reach the receptionist's desk, and they sign some papers. And after paying for the bill via e-transfer, they leave the hospital and start walking in the direction of the boy's home. The distance between the hospital and the Midoriya household is not far, but it is also not exactly close. They will probably arrive at the boy's home around two to three hours from now. Well, since they can't exactly call a taxi at this time of day, they have no choice but to walk.
As they walk in silence, Gran Torino turns his gaze towards the young teen, and he notices that the boy still looks very downtrodden. He's still looking down at his feet with a sad expression, and his shoulders are still slouched forward. It's obvious that he's still feeling upset about what he said to him earlier.
The elderly man lets out a small sigh before he speaks up, "Listen, kid. I know you want to become a great hero, but you have to understand that you cannot be the hero you want to be if you end up dying. You can't save others if you're dead. So, stop being such a reckless idiot and learn how to weigh out your actions before you make any decisions. And when you do, make sure that you're confident enough that your decision is the right one. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes, sir." He replies in a small voice.
"Really now?" The elderly man stops in his tracks, causing the teen to do the same, and he looks at him with a serious gaze, "So, tell me. Do you really understand? Or are you just saying that?"
"I… I understand what you're saying, sir." The greenette answers in a soft tone, his head still lowered and his gaze still fixated on the ground while he fiddles with his fingers, "I-I know I'm reckless. And I should be more careful. And I'm sorry for what I did. I-I didn't mean to worry you or make you feel angry. I was just… trying to help."
"I know that, kid. I know that you just want to help. But sometimes, you need to think about your own safety as well." The elderly man tells him in a calm voice, "You can't be a hero if you die trying to save someone. And if you keep being so reckless, then it will get you killed. Remember, you are carrying Toshinori's legacy. And as the current bearer of One For All, you need to be smart and careful when you're out there in the field. Otherwise, you will not live long enough to even make an impact."
Izuku lowers his head even more, "I-I know, sir. I'm very sorry."
"…You don't need to apologize, boy." He sighs, shaking his head slightly, "Just promise me that you'll be more careful from now on. Not for me, but for Toshinori and your mother."
He nods slowly, "I-I promise, sir."
"Good. I'm glad to hear that." The elderly man says before he pats the boy's right knee, "Now, come on. We need to get you home."
With that said, Gran Torino starts walking again. The young teen quickly follows after him. They continue to walk in silence, neither of them speaking a word to each other. And as they walk, the elderly man looks at the boy from the corner of his eye, and he can't help but smile ever so slightly. While he is still upset at him for being so reckless and foolish, he also understands why he did what he did. He did it because he wanted to save people, and that's something he cannot fault him for.
He will make a great hero one day. That's for sure.
"B-By the way, Gran Torino?" Izuku calls out to him.
"Yeah?" He asks as he turns his head towards the boy.
The greenette fidgets slightly as he looks at him, "W-Well, I'm just curious. Whatever happened to that magma villain?"
"…" The retired hero gives him an unreadable gaze before returning his attention to the road ahead, "You don't need to worry about him anymore, kid."
"…What? No. I-I mean, is he fine or wh-what?" He asks with a confused frown, "Is he okay? Did he get seriously injured?"
"Hmph. Don't worry about that bastard, boy. He won't hurt anyone anymore." He grumbles, "He's not going to bother you or anyone else ever again."
"I-I see." The young teen replies with a small frown, "So… h-he's okay."
"Just focus on what you will say to your mother once you get home, kid." Gran Torino sighs as he shakes his head, "And make sure that you don't get yourself into any more trouble. Otherwise, I'll kick your ass for real."
Izuku lets out a tired sigh before nodding his head slightly, "Okay."
And with that, they continued to walk down the street in silence. The only sound that can be heard is their footsteps and the occasional honks of cars driving by. The chilly autumn air blows through the streets, sending leaves flying in the wind. The moon shines brightly in the pre-dawn sky, illuminating the surroundings with its soft glow.
It's quite peaceful.
"Well, here we are." Gran Torino says as he looks up at the apartment building in front of them, "Your home, sweet home."
"Y-Yes. Thank you for escorting me here, sir." Izuku nods as he stares at the building with a tired expression before casting an apologetic look at him, "And… so sorry for burdening you like this. A-Actually, I'm sorry for what I did. I promise I'll be more careful from now on."
"Just be sure to not get yourself into any more trouble, kid. You hear me?" The elderly man tells him with a serious tone, "And you're not a burden at all. I told you, I don't mind waiting for you to wake up."
"I-I know. But still, you could've gone back to your home and rested." The greenette says with a small frown, "I-I don't want to trouble you even more."
"Boy, it's fine. I'm not gonna die from a little bit of walking, you know." The retired hero grunts with a small huff, "Besides, I'm not gonna leave you alone in a hospital room at past midnight, so stop that."
"R-Right. Sorry." He replies with an apologetic tone as he looks down at his feet.
With another sigh, Gran Torino pats his knee again before turning around and starting to walk away, "Anyway, I'm going back now, kid. Just remember what I said, alright?"
"R-Right. Of course. I'll… I'll be more careful next time." He says with a small nod, "And once again, thank you so much, and my deepest apology for everything."
The elderly man only grunts in response before he continues to walk down the street, his cane clicking against the concrete as he does so. His figure slowly grows smaller and smaller until he is finally out of sight.
Izuku lets out a small sigh before he starts walking towards his apartment. After several minutes of climbing up the stairs, he finally reaches the front door of his home.
For one reason or another, he feels… hesitant. He knows that he will be facing his mother once he gets inside. And there will be a lot of scolding and crying from her. The worst-case scenario, however, is that she will prohibit him from becoming a hero. And he is not sure if he is ready for that possibility.
But he knows that he has to face her eventually. He cannot run away. And even if he can, he won't do it. He has to own up to his mistakes. And he has to accept the consequences of his actions. Even if it means being grounded for a long time.
Taking a deep breath, he raises his fist and knocks on the door. It may be a useless thing to do since she has mostly likely already fallen asleep, but he does it anyway.
After several seconds, he can hear frantic, shuffling footsteps coming from inside the apartment, and then the door swings open, revealing his mother standing before him. She's wearing a long-sleeved pink shirt and gray pants. But what really catches his attention are her teary, concerned eyes.
"Izuku!" Inko cries out as she immediately throws herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, "Oh, my baby boy! You're back! I thought I wouldn't see you ever again!"
"M-Mom, come on. Of course, I will be back. It's not like I have a terminal illness or something." He chuckles weakly as he pats her head comfortingly, "I just got into a little accident, that's all. I'm fine now, see?"
"'Little'!? 'Little'!?! Izuku Midoriya, you were literally throwing yourself into danger!!" She exclaims as she pulls back and looks at him with an upset expression, "What in Heaven's name has possessed you to do such a thing!? Do you have any idea how worried I was when the police called me and told me that you were in the hospital!? My heart stopped beating for a moment, I swear!!"
"S-Sorry. I didn't… I-I didn't mean to worry you." The greenette apologizes with a troubled look, "I-It's just… I'm… I-I… Ugh, I'm so sorry, Mom. I know it was stupid of me to do that. And I… I-I promise you, I will not do it again."
Inko stares at him for a few moments before letting out a tired sigh as she pulls him into a tight hug once more, "Oh, my baby boy. I know I shouldn't be so surprised anymore at your nature, but…I-I'm just so worried. And scared. And I could never stop feeling worried and scared for you. That old hero, Gran Torino, told me what happened and how you wished to help him fight a villain. And… Oh, Izuku. I know you wish to become a hero, but… but please, you must not do anything so foolish and reckless like that ever again. You made me scared to my bones."
"I-I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry." He whispers in a soft voice as he hugs her back, "I didn't mean to worry or scare you, Mom. I swear, I didn't. But… But I don't regret what I did. Even if it was stupid, I will never regret it. I did it to save others. To help people who need help. So, yeah. I-I'm sorry for scaring you like this. But… But I don't regret it."
"I-Izuku…" She says in a soft voice as she tightens her hug, "Oh, my baby boy."
The two of them stand there for a while, simply hugging each other in silence. The only sounds that can be heard are the wind blowing through the leaves and the distant honking of car horns.
Finally, after a long time, Inko pulls back and looks at her son with teary eyes, "Izuku, I know how much you want to be a hero, but please, you have to understand. Y-You can't throw yourself into danger like that. It's not good. And I don't want to lose you."
"I-I'm sorry." He says again with a remorseful look, "I swear, I'll be more careful from now on."
Inko shakes her head as she lets out another sigh, "Oh, my boy. Just… Just promise me that you'll be more careful from now on. Okay?"
"I will, Mom. I promise." He nods as he looks at her with a serious expression, "I-I swear, I won't get myself into any more trouble. And I'll be more careful from now on."
Though she is not entirely convinced, she gives him a small smile before pulling him into another hug, "I'm glad to hear that, Izuku. Just promise me that you'll be more careful from now on, okay?"
"I-I promise." He says as he returns the hug, "I will. I swear."
And with that, Inko pulls away from the hug and pats his head gently, "Good. I am happy to hear it. Now, come on. Let's get inside. It's quite late."
"M-Mh." He nods as he follows after her into the apartment, closing the door behind him, "Sorry for making you stay up like this. You should've been asleep by now."
"Nonsense. I will stay up all night if I have to." She tells him as she leads him into the living room, "Come, take a seat."
Izuku nods and does as he is told, sitting himself on the couch. Inko then heads into the kitchen and puts the kettle on before returning to the living room. She sits down on the couch next to him. She reaches out and touches his face gently, smiling at him with a motherly smile.
"So, are you feeling alright, Izuku?" She asks in a soft voice, "Nothing hurts or anything, right?"
"I'm fine, Mom." He smiles at her as he pats her hand comfortingly, "Really, I'm fine. W-Well, a little bit fuzzy in the head, but other than that, I'm fine. A-And my arm isn't hurting that much either."
"I see." She says with a relieved sigh, "That's good to hear. But you should still rest for the next few days. As a matter of fact, today, tomorrow, and on Saturday, you will rest at home. Understood?"
"Wh-What? Three days off?" He stammers out in shock, "B-But-"
"No buts, young man. You are going to rest for three days. And, yes. You can and will use that time to rest." She cuts him off sternly, "I will inform Aldera of your sick leave. And while you're resting, you can also think about what you did. And why you shouldn't do it again. Because if you do, I will make sure you will not step foot outside of this apartment ever again. Understood?"
"U-Uh, yes. Of course, Mom." He says as he looks down at his hands.
Inko softly huffs in approval, "Good."
"B-But can I at the very least have my training routine?" He asks with a small frown, "I-I mean, it's just a simple exercise, so I don't think-"
"Izuku Midoriya, you need to rest. You can't do any strenuous activity for at least a week." She says with a stern expression, "You heard me?"
"…Yes, Mom." He nods in understanding.
Inko folds her arms across her chest and nods in satisfaction, "Good. Now, then. Tomorrow, I will take a day off and stay here with you to take care of you. And on Saturday, you can go to the park and train if you want."
"O-Okay. Thanks, Mom." The greenette smiles gratefully.
With another hum of approval, she stands up from the couch and gives him a quick and soft kiss on the cheek before walking towards the kitchen. Once she is gone, Izuku lets out a tired sigh and slumps against the couch.
"Well, on the bright side, at least she still allows me to chase after my dream of becoming a hero, so that's good." He inwardly sighs in relief.
But on the other side, he is still upset and angry at himself for making his mother worry like this. He knows how much she worries and stresses over him, and he hates that he made her feel this way. He feels guilty for doing this to her. He feels horrible.
He feels terrible.
It was already atrocious enough that he burdened her with his Quirkless status, making her gain weight and have to work even more to support him. And now, he is making her worry about him even more—getting hospitalized and all that.
He feels so ashamed of himself.
He brings his right hand to his face and looks at the back of his hand. There are still faint burn marks on it, but they're already fading away. He clenches his hand tightly into a fist before letting out a deep sigh.
"Jeez, I really screwed up this time, huh?" He groans to himself as he looks at the back of his hand, "I always make Mom worry about me. I always make her cry and get worried sick. I hate it. I hate myself for causing her this much pain. What kind of hero will I be if I can't even make my own mother smile? I need to do better. I must be better. For her sake."
Taking another deep breath, he lets himself relax and rests his head against the couch. As he stares at the ceiling, he thinks about everything that happened today. It was… quite eventful. A lot of things happened. And most of them were not very pleasant.
Still, despite this rollercoaster of events, he is grateful for two significant accomplishments. One, he was able to save an innocent life. That girl is able to continue to see the light of tomorrow, and that's a good thing. He just hopes that her legs will recover soon. And two, One For All has fully awakened.
While he doesn't know exactly how he managed to call upon it, at least he knows that it no longer lays dormant inside of him. He knows that he can use it. Its lingering presence is proof of that. That faint, but still noticeable, power was coursing through his veins. It's almost like a small flame burning inside him, and it makes him feel warm. And he loves it. He has to be careful when he does use it, however. Otherwise, he will end up hurting himself again. Or worse.
"One For All is a stockpiling Quirk that has been passed down from one user to the next. You will be the ninth wielder of this power, meaning its power will be greatly amplified from the previous users—me included. As its next vessel, you will need to build your body and muscles if you want to fully utilize its potential. Because if you do not, then you will certainly be hurt or worse."
"…By 'worse', y-you mean…?"
"Your body will blow up. Literally."
He shudders after remembering the conversation he had with All Might and Gran Torino many months ago. He doesn't want to experience that. He really, really doesn't want to experience that. So, he has to be careful when he uses it.
"I need to learn how to control it better." He inwardly tells himself with a mixed feeling, "But how?"
The land has already been presented to him. Now he first needs to know how to properly lay the foundation for it to grow into something grand. But he has no idea where to even start.
He sighs in frustration as he runs a hand through his green locks.
"Dammit, Ahhhh, I'll think of it later." He groans as he closes his eyes tiredly.
As he lays on the couch, the sound of soft footsteps can be heard coming towards him. He opens his eyes and sees his mother walking towards him with a small smile on her face and a steaming cup of tea in her hands.
"Izuku, here. Drink this." Inko says softly as she hands him the cup, "It will help you relax and sleep better."
"I don't think I can sleep after I snoozed for hours, but thanks." He replies with a tired smile as he takes the cup and drinks it.
The drink is a little bit bitter, but it also has a sweet aftertaste. But the taste doesn't really matter; the fact that it is warm is more than enough for him. He finishes drinking the tea and hands the cup back to her with a smile.
"Thanks for the tea, Mom. It's delicious." He says with a small smile.
"You're welcome, dear." She smiles back at him before her expression turns into a slight frown, "Izuku, I just want you to know that I love you. And I will always be proud of you, no matter what. But, please, you have to understand that I just want you to be safe. And I don't want you to throw yourself into danger like that again. I know you want to be a hero, and I am fully supporting you. But you need to understand that I'm not going to let you risk your life for others so carelessly and without regard to your own safety. So, please, just think twice before you do anything, okay?"
Izuku chews the inside of his cheeks in guilt as he lowers his head slightly, "Y-Yeah, I know, Mom. And I'm very sorry for worrying you like that. I promise you, I won't do that anymore. I'm sorry for making you scared like that."
"Oh, my baby boy." Inko says as she leans forward and kisses him on the forehead, "I know you didn't mean to worry me like this. But I just want you to be careful, okay? Please, promise me that you will be more careful from now on. I don't want to see you get hurt again. And I don't want to lose you."
"I will, Mom. I promise." He nods as he looks up at her with a small smile, "I will be more careful from now on."
His mother smiles at him and strokes his hair gently before standing up, "Alright, then. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, you should go to bed. I know you have slept a bit back there in the hospital, but you still need to rest properly."
"Y-Yeah. Of course." He agrees with a small nod as he gets up from the couch, "Thanks, Mom."
Inko simply smiles at him before heading towards the kitchen again. Izuku lets out another exhausted sigh before walking towards his bedroom.
"Well, at least she's not angry at me." He mentally sighed in relief.
"Oh. And, Izuku." Inko stops him when she sees him starting to walk away.
"Yes, Mom?" He asks as he turns his head towards her.
His mother bites her lower lip in hesitation for a bit before looking at him with a troubled frown, "I-In case you don't know, there will be officers coming to our home later this morning to question you about the incident."
"I… I know, Mom. Gran Torino…-san told me already." He nods as he looks down at his feet, "A-And… And I'm willing to answer any questions they have. I won't lie to them or anything, I swear."
"Mh." She nods with a small smile, "I know you won't, dear. I just hope that you won't get yourself into trouble because of it."
"I won't, Mom." He says reassuringly as he gives her a small smile, "Don't worry about me, okay? I'll be fine."
She wants to tell him that, of course, she will be worried about him, but she decides to let it go and nods instead, "Alright, then. If you say so."
With one final smile, he turns around and walks towards his room. His steps are heavy and sluggish, but he makes it to his bedroom nonetheless. Once he enters his room, he closes the door behind him and immediately flops down on his bed. He stares at the ceiling for a few moments before closing his eyes and letting out a deep sigh.
"What a day." He groans as he rubs his face tiredly, "So much stuff happened. So, SO much."
He knows that he should be happy that he was able to save a life today and finally fully awaken One For All, but he still feels guilty for making his mother worry and stress over him like this.
He also feels guilty for lying to her. Well, he didn't exactly lie to her; he just omitted some parts of the truth. And he hates himself for it.
He knows that he will have to come clean to her someday. He knows that he has to tell her what really happened. But until that day comes, he will have to keep this a secret from her. He will have to hide it from her. Because if she ever finds out the truth, she will be even more worried and might forbid him from becoming a hero altogether. And he cannot let that happen.
With a heavy sigh, he rolls over onto his side and closes his eyes.
"My life hasn't been very easy. But I'm sure it will get better from now on." He tells himself with a small smile, "I will work hard and become a great hero. I will make Mom and All Might proud. I will become someone who will bring smiles to people. I will become the best hero that I can be."
And with that thought in mind, he slowly drifts off to sleep.